I have to confess, when I hurriedly passed through an exhibit of these new “Bifacial Photovoltaic Modules” at IBS, I missed the point. With so many panel manufacturers telling me their system is unique, I wasn’t taking in new information. But back in the office, I realized what was odd –they were using these panels as a deck awning. And light was coming through them. This is technology that really is new—and full of potential.
The HIT Double panels consist of solar cells that are made of crystalline silicon, then surrounded by “ultra thin amorphous silicon layers.” Apparently it’s a technology only
Sanyo has mastered so far. The resulting panel allows some light to pass through. The company is marketing them for use in awnings, deck coverings, and so on, but they left out what to me might be the most exciting use—as a light filtering skylight. I won’t be surprised to see a third party put two and two together and offer the panels in a prehung skylight frame.
The panels also perform well—up to 30% higher power generation per square foot than standard PV, according to Sanyo.